Vehicles catching Fire,

Submitted: Monday, Feb 08, 2016 at 20:17
ThreadID: 131565 Views:3617 Replies:7 FollowUps:18
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Coming back down the m1 NSW again last Sunday, we came to a halt twice due to road blockage caused by vehicles on fire...The first was a late model with a reputation of going up in smoke, The other was a motor home,and boy!! was it a mess took the fire brigade a long time to put that one out....Vehicle fires can happen to anyone, but for the amount on the road its only a small number,. I had a xe falcon one time where they had a short rubber hose from the carby back to the steel fuel line (allowing for flex I think ),but it was all tucked under the air cleaner so when it perished it could go unnoticed, ours, sprayed fuel all over the motor one time when the wife started it in a car park resulting in a bon fire under the bonnet, luckily a council truck was parked nearby and they dived out and got it under control, .So dodgy wiring , Gasleaks ..petrol leaks,even diesel , and oil leaks can contribute to a fire, you don't think about it much but when and if ever it happens, Scary stuff!!.


Cheers Axle.

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Reply By: Roachie Silverado - Monday, Feb 08, 2016 at 20:58

Monday, Feb 08, 2016 at 20:58
You're dead right mate.

Like many others, I carry a good-looking 1KG fire extinguisher which would be TOTALLY useless in the event of a decent fire under the bonnet or underbody (spinifex fire). But they do give us a bit of peace of mind I guess.

Many years ago I was traveling between Yass and Canberra and came upon an older model car with bonnet up and fire coming out. Old bloke was faffing about, not knowing what to do. I stopped and got out my fire extinguisher....used it all up over a few minutes....flames stopped, but within seconds of the F.E running out of puff, the flames started again. At that time another truck pulled up and also had a (larger) FE.....and he managed to get it out at last.

Roachie

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Follow Up By: axle - Monday, Feb 08, 2016 at 21:43

Monday, Feb 08, 2016 at 21:43
Hi Roachie,.....Hmmm With your latest purchases,Mate your Gunna need a fire truck behind you!.

Hahaha!.


Cheers Axle.
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Follow Up By: Member - eighty matey - Monday, Feb 08, 2016 at 21:44

Monday, Feb 08, 2016 at 21:44
I saved a Commodore by using a 1 kg fire extinguisher. It was on fire after a collision with a motorbike. That fire was from fuel over the car and not from the car itself catching on fire.

We carry two 1 kg fire extinguisher and two fire blankets when we travel, all the time in fact but especially when we're away.


Steve
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Feb 08, 2016 at 22:23

Monday, Feb 08, 2016 at 22:23
We had a Landcruiser catch fire some years ago - probably falls into the dodgy wire bracket as the fire started under the dash. Although an insurance claim for repairs, the vehicle was saved by fire extinguishers that lasted longer than those little red things. As traffic whizzed by the smoking car with daughter throwing luggage out the windows (it was a two door model), we were saved by a car car load of youths heading out for their Friday night who stopped to help, and sacrificed all their cans of beer. Top fire extinguishers when shaken and opened.

So a slab is better insurance than a car fire extinguisher - and you may find other uses for it too LOL.
Motherhen

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Follow Up By: Member - eighty matey - Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 07:33

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 07:33
I remember Jack Absalom used to always suggest travelling with two dozen fire extinguishers.
Only problem I have with that is I drink them as I travel, thus reducing my fire fighting capacity.
With the little red things I know I'm not going to drink that.

Don't disregard the little red things. If used correctly they are quite useful.

Steve
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 10:07

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 10:07
At least you don't have to worry about use by dates on extinguishers then eighty matey. Just be sure to carry and adequate supply for emergencies ;).
Motherhen

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Follow Up By: Member - Terry W4 - Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 17:33

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 17:33
I have 2 kg FE in my Prado and a 1kg in the camper trailer.
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Reply By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 12:27

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 12:27
Once came up on a late model Porsche with an engine fire on the Spit Rd S bends at Mosman. Being an alloy/composite block, it was a magnesium fire out of control. Even the firies were standing around watching it. Not much you could do except let it run it's course, which involved most of the engine block turning into molten liquid and running back down the hill.
Never thought I'd see an engine in rivulets.......
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Follow Up By: axle - Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 13:00

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 13:00
I bet the owner was impressed, Lol.



Axle
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Follow Up By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 21:47

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 21:47
What some people may not know is that if you put water on a Magnesium fire it will cause an instant flare up. Thus, "Even the firies were standing around watching it."

Just saying.

Scrubby.
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Follow Up By: Member - Charlie M (SA) - Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 21:47

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 21:47
Truck fire with alloy fuel tanks make a interesting sight.

Charlie
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Follow Up By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 22:57

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 22:57
Scrubby, exactly why I said it had to run it's course. Fairly new Turbo Carrera - by the time the firies got there it was probably already a write off....
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Wednesday, Feb 10, 2016 at 12:00

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2016 at 12:00
Apparently this stuff will even burn in nitrogen! About the only way to extinguish it is to dump a load of sand on it.

Might be a bit hard to conjure up 10 cuM of sand on the spot in Mosman. :-)

Bob

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Can't remember most of it.

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Reply By: John B70 - Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 14:34

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 at 14:34
You don't want to risk it.
It can happen so quickly.
Before going on a trip it's worth checking your engine,your electrical connection and the overall condition of the car.
Make sure everything is tight (battery, pipes, engine support) and secured (electrical harness).

jrautofix
Fix your car and be safe
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Reply By: Member - mechpete - Thursday, Feb 11, 2016 at 10:37

Thursday, Feb 11, 2016 at 10:37
curious to know what is the late model car with a reputation for catching fire
mechpete
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Follow Up By: Gramps - Thursday, Feb 11, 2016 at 12:08

Thursday, Feb 11, 2016 at 12:08
It will undoubtedly be a Jeep :)

Regards
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Follow Up By: TomH - Thursday, Feb 11, 2016 at 18:21

Thursday, Feb 11, 2016 at 18:21
SSangYong Mussos were a bit famous for that a few years ago. One car worse than a Jeep LOL
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Follow Up By: Michael H9 - Thursday, Feb 11, 2016 at 21:18

Thursday, Feb 11, 2016 at 21:18
I know a Hyundai Terracan diesel that caught fire driving down the M4 in Sydney. Normally though, one would assume a Jeep.
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Reply By: swampy - Thursday, Feb 11, 2016 at 17:05

Thursday, Feb 11, 2016 at 17:05
hi
All the fuel and breathers which were and are installed ontop of the tank . U discover an issue when fuel is leaking on the floor . NICE.. Later fuel hose lasts far longer .

Fuel lines that are installed above starter motors . U can not see the line either its under the inlet manifold . Medium pressure fuel injection line . U do not get past starting it .
Same car in carby form has coolant hoses that u just cannot see .

Same as major engine management relays under a coolant overflow tanks

swampy.
AnswerID: 596132

Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Friday, Feb 12, 2016 at 10:14

Friday, Feb 12, 2016 at 10:14
There were pictures on the 'net some years back, of a spectacular Prado fire, when the near side rear brakes caused a fire, in conjunction with the fuel line that happens to be in that area too.

Couple of stock 'n station agents travelling on a back road in SE Qld, I think?

Bob

Seen it all, Done it all.
Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: axle - Friday, Feb 12, 2016 at 11:31

Friday, Feb 12, 2016 at 11:31
Come on Bob, Impossible for a Toyo to cause a drama!...LOL.


Subaru are another one where fuel lines have to checked, all up high , and so is the alternater

saw one spraying a mist of fuel all over the engine one time how it didn't go up is beyond me!

Axle.
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Reply By: Duncan2H - Friday, Feb 12, 2016 at 11:40

Friday, Feb 12, 2016 at 11:40
This is the reason that when camping remotely, I remove our EPIRB, 10L of water and my mobile phone from the vehicle and store them away from the vehicle at night. I dont want to wake up to a well established vehicle fire that has taken all of our water and our emergency communications with it.
AnswerID: 596172

Follow Up By: GREG T11 - Saturday, Feb 13, 2016 at 23:08

Saturday, Feb 13, 2016 at 23:08
Paranoid taken to a new level. How is your vehicle going to catch fire when not running, unless a aftermarket dodgy wiring job has been done.
If in the unlikely event that it does it would be when the engine is HOT still. Not a 1 am in the morning.
99 % of vehicle fires occur when the vehicle is running/driving and is not just a " Jeep Thing ".Plenty of brands have had issues over the years and in the overall scheme of things is generally the least of your worries.
Remote and mobile phone, wishful thinking. You best upgrade to 20 litres of water.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Sunday, Feb 14, 2016 at 12:51

Sunday, Feb 14, 2016 at 12:51
'
Actually Greg, the official figures for vehicle fires are..............

21% garaged at burning residence
22% stationary and unattended
17% whilst being driven
33% as result of collision
4% whilst in vehicle workshop
3% unspecified
Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: GREG T11 - Friday, Feb 19, 2016 at 22:48

Friday, Feb 19, 2016 at 22:48
Sorry about that, considering all the recent bushfires and hence the number of burnt out homes and vehicles 21 % appears to be a small figure.

Whilst 22% perhaps includes stolen vehicles ?

Good old statistics. Good at indicating what you want to believe .
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